This guide is intended for use in teaching a capstone course in technology education at the 12th-grade level. The course is designed to lead students through a formal hands-on study of the research process as it is applied to development operations in an industrial setting. The first two sections discuss the guide's development within the framework of North Carolina's efforts to improve technological literacy and the guide's place as part of an instructional system. The purpose and rationale of the course, its basic structure, and main objectives are explained. Recommended print and film resource materials are listed. The remainder of the guide consists of learning modules on the following topics: exploring the nature of research and development, planning and designing a research project, conducting and interpreting industrial research, translating and communicating research findings, and conducting an individual in-depth research and development project. Each module includes information about the length of time needed to complete the module, an introduction to the instructional content to be covered in class, performance objectives, a day-by-day outline of student learning activities, and lists of suggested textbooks and references. Related charts and sample materials are appended to some of the modules. (MN)